JOL Suspensions Lawyer in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles imposes strict license suspensions for Junior Operator’s License (JOL) holders who commit traffic violations. For instance, a junior operator found responsible for speeding will face a 90-day license suspension. Reinstatement requires completing the State Courts Against Road Rage (SCARR) program, the 8-hour National Safety Council Driver Re-Training program, paying a reinstatement fee, applying for a learner’s permit, passing the written test, and re-taking the road test. Hardship licenses cannot be obtained through the RMV; instead, JOL holders must appeal to the Board of Appeal of the Division of Insurance.

In addition to speeding, the RMV suspends JOLs for violations such as unauthorized passengers and drag racing.

The Board of Appeal primarily handles hardship license appeals from adults who need driving privileges to support their families. Compared with these serious hardships, an inability to get to school, a part-time job, or extracurricular activities may appear minor. Additionally, crash data demonstrates that JOL license suspensions are an effective deterrent, so the Board is often reluctant to grant relief, viewing these suspensions as a teaching tool for young drivers.

While I have successfully obtained reinstatements in some JOL speeding cases, I handle relatively few JOL appeals due to the low likelihood of success.